Apparatus for confining floating materials

ABSTRACT

An apparatus in which detachably connected floats form a barrier on the surface of a liquid for confining materials i.e. pollutants floating thereon. A plurality of adjacent floats are longitudinally arranged in an end-to-end relation. The end wall of at least one of the floats has a movable portion which is biased in a longitudinal direction toward the corresponding end wall of the next adjacent float so as to form a seal between adjacent floats. Each of the opposed end walls includes a portion adjacent the movable portion thereof for operatively securing together the floats, and for preventing the movable portions from moving apart further than a predetermined distance so as to maintain the movable portions in sealing engagement.

United States Patent [151 3,685,297 Juodis et al. [451 Aug. 22, 1972[54] APPARATUS FOR CONFINING FLOATING MATERIALS Primary Examiner-PeterM. Caun [72] Inventors: Walter Juodis, Mishawaka, lnd.; AUOmey HemyStemberg George J. Gauch, Greenville, R.l.

[73] Assignee: Uniroyal, Inc., New York, NY.

[22] Filed: Dec. 7, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 95,583

[52] U.S. Cl ..61/1 F [51] Int. Cl. ..E02b 15/04 [58] Field ofSearch..61/1 F, 5; 210/D1G. 21,242

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,067,712 12/ 1962Doerpinghaus ..61/5 2,682,151 6/1954 Simpson ..61/1 F 3,576,108 4/1971Rowland ..-.61/l F [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus in which detachablyconnected floats form a barrier on the surface of a liquid for confiningmaterials i.e. pollutants floating thereon. A plurality of adjacentfloats are longitudinally arranged in an endto-end relation. The endwall of at least one of the floats has a movable portion which is biasedin a longitudinal direction toward the corresponding end wall 33 Claims,9 Drawing Figures mfimsmuszz 1972 3.685.297

sum 3 or 4 i :l l5

INVENTORS WALTER JUODIS GEORGE J. GAUCH APPARATUS FOR CONFINING FLOATINGMATERIALS The foregoing abstract is neither intended to define theinvention disclosed in the specification, nor is it intended to belimiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates generally to anapparatus for confining material floating on a liquid, and moreparticularly concerns a system of modular float members for containingpollutants, such as oil, floating on rough sea water.

Liquid petroleum products constitute a dangerous pollution source. Sincethey have a density lower than water, they will float and be spread overwide areas. These floating liquids are a fire hazard and can seriouslypollute nearby land areas. It is therefore highly desirable to restrictthem as rapidly as possible to as small an area as possible in order tofacilitate their recovery, minimize pollution and restrict the potentialfire hazard.

I-Ieretofore various methods and apparatus have been devised to confinematerial floating on the surface of a liquid. The function of such anapparatus is to prevent oil or similar products from spreading, therebyisolating the pollutant in an area where it can be removed from thesurface. With the apparatus confining the oil, authorities canconcentrate on cleaning it up by skimming it from the surface, applyingstraw to absorb the oil or spraying the oil with chemicals. Suitableapparatus is available which will adequately prevent the spread ofpollutants floating on the surface of the relatively calm waters ofrivers and harbors. However, such conventional apparatus does notperform adequately in the open where the waters are rough. As the sizeof the waves increases, the magnitude of the forces exerted on theapparatus increases. When the apparatus is subjected to forces of asufiiciently large magnitude, such as those generated in a very roughsea, the heretofore known apparatus may either break apart completely orfail to properly confine the floating pollutants. To resolve thedifficulty noted above, large and unwieldly systems were developed so asto withstand the forces of the waves in the rough open sea. As aconsequence thereof, many of the conventional systems now in use, areoften difficult to transport to and handle at the site of pollution.Thus, a substantial period of time may often elapse before suchconventional apparatus can be brought to and assembled at the site,thereby resulting in the spread of floating pollutants across largeareas of the open sea and, by the greater difficulty in containing thespread, cause the subsequent pollution of land areas.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providea float apparatus for forming a barrier on the surface of a liquid whichwill overcome the aforesaid disadvantages.

With more particularity, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a float apparatus which uses modular construction so as to bereadily transported to and assembled at the site of the pollutants.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a float apparatuswhich operates satisfactorily under the forces generated by the waves ofa rough sea.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a floatapparatus which, while composed of modular float components, willmaintain a generally continuous sealed system.

A related object of the present invention is to provide a floatapparatus in which the individual modular components thereof are readilydetachable form each other.

Similarly, it is another object of the present invention to provide afloat apparatus having novel modular components which are readilyassembled to each other so as to form a sealed floating system.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a floatapparatus of the above type which may be readily transported to andassembled at the site in any desired length and just as readilydismantled and stored for future use.

Other objects include the provision of an improved apparatus of theabove type which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and maintainand may be easily manipulated in the repeated installation and usethereof.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe following description proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, in accordance with the invention thereis provided a float apparatus which forms a barrier on the surface of aliquid, such as for example a body of water. The apparatus preferablyincludes a plurality of adjacent modular float members which arelongitudinally aligned in end-to-end relation. Each of the float membershas an end wall adjacent to and in substantial registry with acorresponding end wall of an adjacent float member. These adjacent endwalls include opposing connecting portions for operatively coupling thefloat members to one another in a readily detachable manner. At leastone of the float members has an end wall which includes a movableportion spaced from the aforesaid connecting portion, which may beresiliently urged or biased in a longitudinal direction toward theopposed end wall of the connected adjacent float so as to form a sealbetween the adjacent float members. Adjacent float members are coupledtogether at the connecting portion in such a manner as to restrain themovable portions of the end walls from moving apart further than aspecified distance thereby insuring that the movable portions aremaintained in sealing engagement.

Preferably the float members have a substantially cylindrical bodyportion connecting a pair of end walls and together defining an internalchamber. The end walls are connected to each other by a flexible,substantial inextensible, tension means, such as for example a cable,extending axially through the internal chamber. The tension meansrestrains the opposed connecting portions of the pair of end walls frommoving apart further than a predetermined distance and provides tensilestrength for the float members. The aforementioned float members formthe basic modular unit from which the entire floating barrier may,according to the present invention, be constructed.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided asubstantially inextensible cable means extending along the exteriorsurface of the cylindrical body portion of the float members between theconnecting portions of the pair of opposite end walls thereof. The cableis fixedly connected to the connecting portions of the end walls forsupporting a vertically downwardly extending flexible sheet. The lengthof the cable is such that the outer surface of the cylindrical bodyportion is urged into engagement with and partially envelops the cable.An upper portion of the sheet is interposed between the cylindrical bodyportion and the cable so as to be pressed between the underside of thefloat member and the cable so as to form a liquidtight seal. One of thefeatures of the invention is to use a sheet 'so configured that itextends into the seal between corresponding movable portions of adjacentend walls of adjacent float members for preventing pollutants frompassing not only beneath, but also between adjacent float members, fromone side to the other side thereof, even when the latter are subjectedto the forces of the waves in a rough sea.

Thus, according to the present invention there are provided modularfloat members for supporting a downwardly extending sheet. The modularfloat members are easily attachable to each other so as to form anenclosure of any desired size for confining floating pollutants therein.According to the preferred embodiment of the invention the modular floatmembers are inflatable so as to enable the entire float apparatus to beeasily transported in deflated condition and assembled at the site whereit is desired to contain the pollutants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of theinvention will become apparent upon reading the following detaileddescription and upon reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial elevational view of a series of connected modularfloat members supporting a vertically downwardly extending sheetaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing a portioncutaway, of the seal and the connecting means according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing a joint forconnecting adjacent floats according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing another jointfor connecting adjacent floats according to another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of several modular float members connectedtogether by the joint shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a partial plan view of several modular float members connectedtogether by the joint shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view showing the details of a portion of thesheet and cable means of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged partially sectional view showing a modular floatmember according to one embodiment of the present invention.

While the invention will be described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit theinvention to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to coverall alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may bcineluded-within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With continued reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals have been used throughout todesignate like elements, FIG. 3 illustrates a cutaway portion of a pairof adjacently positioned float members l0 and 11. In the illustratedembodiment, each of the float members 10 and 11 have end wall meansshown generally as l2 and 13, respectively, which are adjacent to and insubstantial registry with each other. The end wall means 12 and 13include opposing first portions 14 and 15, respectively, and movablesecond portions 16 and 17, respectively, adjacent to he first portions14 and 15.

Preferably, each of the float members 10 and 11 includes a shell or bodyportion 10a and 1 1a of a flexible air impervious material, such as aplastic coated or a rubber coated fabric capable of being inflated by apressurefluid, such as for example compressed air. The fabric of theshell 10a and 1 la preferably comprises arranged cords which insure thatwhen the float member is inflated it assumes a generally cylindricalshape. For

' example, if the layers of fabric forming the cylindrical body portion10a (FIG. 9) are disposed at the correct helical angles the body portionwill not distort appreciably from the desired cylindrical shape when thefloat member 10 is inflated. The opposed movable second portions 16 and17 of the end walls 12 and 13 of adjacent float members 10 and 11 aredeformable toward and away from each other. The air used to inflate thefloat members 10 and 11 forms a biasing means for resiliently urging thedeformable second portions 16 and 17 of the end wall means 12 and 13respectively, toward each other. Connecting means, shown generally as18, are mounted on the opposing first portions 14 and 15 of the end wallmeans 12 and 13 for operatively securing adjacent float members 10 and11 together. The connecting means 18 forms, as will be described below,an inextensible connection between the floats l0 and 11 for securelyholding the opposing portions 14 and 15 a given distance apart. Thus,the adjacent float members are secured together by the connecting means18 in such a manner as to maintain the deformable second portions 16 and17 of the end wall means 12 and 13 in sealing engagement when the floatmembers 10 and 11 are inflated. As shown in FIG. 3, inflation of thefloat members 10 and 11 causes the deformable second portions 16 and 17to be pressed against each other so as to form an annular seal. Thisannular seal surrounds the opposing first portions 14 and 15, and theconnecting means 18 thereby preventing the introduction of any liquidinto the vicinity of the opposing first portions 14 and 15, andconnecting means 18 and also adds rigidity to the composite structure.Since the opposing first portions 14 and 15, and the connecting means 18are normally made from a metal, the formation of rust or othercontamination in the region of connecting means 18 is retarded by thisannular seal arrangement. The prevention of rust or contamination in thevicinity of the connecting means 18 insures that adjacent float membersand 11 may be readily detachable and reusable after prolonged use in seawater.

Pursuant to the invention, as best shown in FIG. 3, the opposing firstportions 14 and 15 include cable plates 14a and 15a and clamping rings14b and 15b. The annular flexible second portions 16 and 17 have aninnermost annular portion 16a and 17a interposed between the cableplates 14a and 15a, respectively, and the clamping rings 14b and 15b.Suitable fastening means are used to secure the clamping rings 14b and15b to the cable plates 14a and 15a with the innermost portions 16a and17a of the flexible second portions 16 and 17 securely clampedtherebetween so as to form an air-tight seal.

Referring to FIG. 4, one embodiment of a joint for connecting adjacentfloat members 10 and 11 is therein depicted. The cable plate 14a mountedon one end of one of the adjacent float members 10 as heretoforedescribed, has a coupling means, i.e. a ball portion 18a integraltherewith and extending therefrom in the direction of the correspondingadjacent float member 11. Mating cable plate 15a mounted on thecorresponding end of the adjacent float member 11, has a correspondingcoupling means, i.e. a spherical socket portion 18b integral therewithfor receiving the ball portion 18a so as to form a ball joint. The ballportion 18a is secured in the socket portion 18b by means of a split nutassembly 180. The split nut 18c is adapted to be mounted on the neck ofthe ball portion 18b in order to permit the internally threaded portionof the split nut 18c to engage the externally threaded portion of thesocket portion 18b, thereby pressing the ball portion 18a into thesocket portion 18b for securing the ball portion 18a therein. The ballportion 18a is capable of rotating in the socket portion 18b after thesplit nut assembly 180 is fastened thereto. Thus, the ball joint is arelatively rigid, axially extending joint which while coupling adjacentfloat members to one another, permits pivotal movement of the floatmembers with respect to each other at the ball joint. Attention is drawnto the fact that adjacent float members 10 and 11 are connected to eachother in such a manner that disengaging the split nut 180 from thesocket portion 18b detaches adjacent float members 10 and 11 from eachother. Thus it is seen that the adjacent float members l0 and 11 may bereadily secured to as well as easily separated from each other. It is tobe noted that in the illustrated form the adjacent float members 10 and11 may only be detached from or secured to each other when at least oneof the float members is partially deflated, since otherwise the annularseal formed by opposing movable second portions 16 and 17, precludesaccess to the connecting means 18.

An alternate embodiment of a joint used for connecting adjacent floatmembers 10 and 11 is shown in FIG. 5. The cable plate 14c mounted on oneend of the float member 10 as heretofore described, is provided with acoupling means, i.e. a hook portion 18d, pivotably mounted thereto andextending therefrom in the direction of the adjacent float member 11. Apush-pull stop l8e slidably mounted on the cable plate 140 engages thehook l8d in a first position so as to prevent can:

the hook 18d from pivoting to an open position, i.e. away from the floatmember 10. The stop l8e is held in the first position by a suitablespring, not shown, mounted on the cable plate 14c. The stop l8e may bemoved in a transverse direction against the action of the spring-to asecond position, not shown, for disengagement from the hook 18d. Whenthe stop l8e is in the second position, the hook 18d may be pivoted froma closed position to an open position and conversely from an openposition to a closed position. However, the hook 18d may not be pivotedrelative to the cable plate 14c when the stop l8e is in the firstposition. Mating cable plate mounted on the corresponding end of theadjacent float member 11 has a corresponding coupling means, i.e. acatch 18f integral therewith for receiving the hook 18d of the cableplate Me so as to form a joint therewith. The joint, according to thislatter embodiment, is a relatively rigid, axially extending joint whichsubstantially prevents relative pivotal movement between the adjacentfloat members 10 and 11. In order to attach the adjacent float members10 and 11 to each other, the stop 18c is moved to its second positionand the hook 18d pivoted to its open position. Subsequently, adjacentfloat members 10 and 11 are abutted end-to-end against each other,whereupon the hook 18d is again pivoted to its closed positionoperatively engaging the catch 18f of the corresponding adjacent floatmember 11. After the hook 18d engages the catch 18f, stop l8e is movedto its first position for locking the hook 18d in its closed position inlocking engagement with the catch 18f. As heretofore discussed, at leastone of the float members must at least be partially deflated in order togain access to the connecting means 18.

According to the latter embodiment i.e. FIG. 5, the positive lockingaction between the float member is accomplished by inflation of thelatter urging the plates 14c and 156 in opposite directions, i.e. awayfrom each other so as to insure that the hook 18d and catch 18f willremain in engagement with each other.

Turning now to FIG. 9, there is shown a modular float member 10according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Themodular float member 10 has opposed spaced end wall means 12a and 13aconnected by a cylindrical intermediate body portion 10a togetherdefining an internal chamber 10b. The float member 10 is buoyant andwhen in use floats on the surface of a liquid, such as a body of water.

The first end wall means 12a is preferably connected to the second endwall means 13a by a flexible, substantial inextensible, tension means20, such as for example a cable, extending axially through the internalchamber 10b. In the preferred construction illustrated in FIG. 9, thecable 20 connects the cable plate 14a of the first end wall means 12awith the cable plate 15a of the second end wall means 13a so as toprevent the cable plates 14a and 15a from moving apart further than afixed distance. In addition, the cable 20 provides substantial tensilestrength to the float member 10 in order to assist it in resisting theforces generated by the waves of a rough sea. In the present instancethe cable 20 is provided with rigid stud portions 20a and 20b atopposite ends thereof. These studs 20a and 20b have externally threadedportions for engaging internally threaded portions of the cable plates14a and 15a,

respectively. The cable 20, which is preferably made of steel and istypically about 1 inch in diameter, is fastened to the cable plates 14aand a, respectively prior to inflating the float member 10. An inflationvalve 22 is built into each float member 10 so as to permit rapidinflation and deflation thereof. Thus, it will be seenthat the cable 20,extending within the internal chamber 10b, connects opposing end wallmeans 12a and 13a so as to prevent the opposing end wall means 12a and13a from moving apart further than a specified distance. A plurality ofsuch float members 10 may be secured to each other by suitableconnecting means 18, heretofore described and shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,which insure that the opposed portions of the end wall means of suchadjacent float members do not move further apart than a predetermineddistance. Thus, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, as bestillustrated in FIG. 3, when adjacent modular float members 10 and 11 areconnected together and subsequently inflated, the annular flexibleportions 16 and 17 of the end walls 12' and 13 are resiliently urged orbiased toward and into engagement with each other against therestraining force of the connecting means 18 so as to form an annularliquid-tight seal around the latter. Thus, the inextensible cables 20may be connected, in line, with the inextensible connecting means forforming a plurality of float members into an elongated, longitudinally,inextensible float system.

Turning now once again to FIG. 9, it will be seen that a sheet supportmay be provided at the exterior of the float member. This sheet supportis in the form of an additional substantially inextensible cable means24 which extends along the exterior of the body portion 10a of the floatmember 10 between the end walls 12a and 13a, respectively. As best shownin FIG. 4, the cable means 24 is fixedly connected at opposite endsthereof to cable plates 14a and 15a, respectively. The end portions 36(FIG. 8) of the cable means 24 are preferably swaged so as to beslidably received by corresponding slots in cable plates 14a and 15a,and suitable plates 38 may be fastened over each slot so as to lock theswaged ends 36 of the cable means 24 within their respective slots (FIG.4). The length of the cable means 24 is such that upon inflation of thefloat member 10, the exterior or outer surface of the cylindrical bodyportion 10a presses into engagement with and partially envelops thecable means 24. As shown in FIG. 2, the cable means 24 supports avertically downwardly extending sheet member 26. The upper marginal edgeportion 26a of the sheet 26 is interposed between the body portion 10aof the float member 10 and the cable means 24. In response to inflatingthe float member 10, the exterior surface thereof presses against theupper marginal edge portion 26a of the sheet 26 in turn pressing thelatter against the cable 29 so as to squeeze the upper marginal edgeportion of the sheet in a liquid tight manner between the cable and theexterior surface of the float member.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the upper marginal edge portion 26a of thesheet 26 is folded over the cable means 24 and is cemented or otherwisesuitably connected against itself so as to form a sleeve or overlap ofabout 3 inches in width, through which the cable means 24 extends. Thesheet 26 is so configured as to extend in a vertically upward directionbetween adjacent float members 10 and 11, the sheet extending throughthe sealingly received in the annular seal region, thereby preventingpollutants from passing between adjacent float members 10 and l 1. Thelower marginal edge portion of the sheet 26 is folded over a bottomcable 28 and is cemented or otherwise suitably connected against itselfso as to form a sleeve or overlapped portion 260 of about 3 inches inwidth, through which a bottom cable 28 extends. In the preferredembodiment, the bottom cable 28 is made of steel and is typically about1 inch in diameter. The overlapped portion 26c may extend along theentire length of the sheet 26 and may be provided with a plurality ofspaced holes extending completely therethrough for bolting ballastweights 30 thereto, as shown in FIG. 2. The sheet 26 is thus held in asubstantially taut condition by the ballast weights 30 so as to extendvertically downwardly into the body of liquid.

Having considered the details of the modular components used in thefloat apparatus, attention may now be given to the entire system, asshown in FIG. 1, in inflated condition. The float apparatus includes aplurality of inflated modular float members 10, for example, a singlefloat apparatus may include as many as 500 float members, of the typeshown in FIG. 9 and described above. The members 10 float on the surfaceof a liquid 19, such as a body of water, for example a lake, river ofsea. The series of float members 10 are mechanically linked together atadjacent end walls thereof, with the annular flexible portions of theabutting end walls of adjacent float members 10 being pressed into eachother by the internal pressure within each inflated float member 10 soas to form an annular seal between adjacent float members 10 andgenerally to add rigidity to the overall system. Various means formechanically linking or connecting adjacent float members 10 have beenheretofore discussed and are shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 respectively.Similarly, the annular seal between adjacent float members 10 has beenpreviously described and is depicted in detail in FIG. 3. Upon furtherinspection of FIG. 1 it will be seen that the sheet 26 preferably ismade up of individual sheet sections 26d and 26e, each preferablyassociated with eleven float members, i.e. extending along approximatelythe length of 11 floats. The length of the individual sheet sections mayvary to suit the convenience of manufacturing and handling. Each of suchsheet sections has opposed vertical marginal edge portions 26bpreferably which are overlapped and fastened together in the regionspaced from the interface between adjacent float members, i.e.approximately about 18 inches therefrom. This vertical joint, formed byoverlapping the vertical marginal edge portions 26b, occurs atapproximately about every eleventh float member 10 and forms asubstantially fluid-tight seal. As hereinbefore set forth the sheet 26,located at the underside of the float members 10 and supported therebyis made up of a series of flexible waterproof panels which may be ofplastic coated or rubber coated fabric. A sufficient number of thesepanels are used so that they extend the entire length of the apparatus.The vertical height of the sheet is chosen such as to provide aneffective barrier to pollutants floating on the surface of the liquid19. A plurality of ballast weights 30 are secured to the overlappedlower marginal edge portion 260 of the.

lntnsn null sheet. These ballast weights 30 maintain the sheet in arelatively stable vertically downward direction. In order to tow theapparatus through the liquid 19, a bridle, not shown, may be fastened tothe accessible extremities of one of the end float members 10, thecorresponding end of the lower marginal edge portion 26c of the sheet26, and the corresponding end of the bottom cable 28. Similarly, inorder to maintain the apparatus in a predetermined location at the siteof the pollution, an anchoring device, not shown, may be fastened to thebottom cable 28. Thus, if desired, the float apparatus may be assembledand inflated at a convenient location and subsequently towed, on thesurface of the liquid 19, in its assembled and inflated condition, tothe site of the pollution where it may be anchored in place.

It is contemplated that the float members 10 may be preferably connectedto each other by either the joint shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 so as toform an easily assembled endless enclosure surrounding the floatingpollutants. Turning now to FIG. 6, each of the float members illustratedtherein is connected to the other by the joint depicted in FIG. 4, asheretofore discussed. As discussed previously the ball portion 18a isfree to rotate in the socket portion 18c enabling adjacent float membersto pivot with respect to one another. As shown in FIG. 6, the floatmembers 10 are pivoted relative to each other at the joint in order toachieve an arcuate enclosure. Thus, the interior portions 32 of the endwall means of adjacent float members are pressed against each other withsubstantially greater force than the exterior portions 34 thereof. As aresult of this variation in force, the contact area of the sealsubstantially varies about the periphery of the annulus, the interiorportion 32 having substantially greater contact area than the exteriorportion 34, but the seal being nevertheless maintained throughout theannular regron.

Now referring to FIG. 7, each of the float members 10 shown therein isconnected to the other by the joint depicted in FIG. 5, as describedpreviously. As heretofore mentioned, the hook 18d is in engagement withthe catch 18f. This type of joint permits relatively little or nopivotal movement between adjacent float members as the hook 18d is notfree to rotate relative to the catch 18f. Since the joint illustrated inFIG. 5 does not permit the float members 10 to pivot relative to eachother, an arcuate enclosure may nevertheless be formed by having theindividual float members themselves bend in accordian fashion alongtheir respective body portions. In this manner, the interior portions 32of the end walls of adjacent float members are pressed against eachother with substantially the same force as the exterior portions 34thereof. The joint shown in FIG. 5, therefore, maintains the contactarea of the annular seal substantially equal over all portions-thereof.

It is clear from the foregoing description that the herein describedapparatus achieves the objectives of the present invention. Not only isthe float apparatus composed of individual modular float members andindividual sheet sections which may readily transported and/or stored inrelatively small packages but in their deflated condition, the floatmembers are flexible and may be made to assume an even smaller shape inorder to permit easy storage and/or transportation thereof. In

use, the float members cooperate with the sheet to provide an effectivebarrier for preventing the spread of floating pollutants. The floatapparatus includes a plurality of modular components, the individualfloat members and the sheet sections. By adding or subtracting modularfloat members and sheet panels any desired length of barrier may bereadily obtained. The modular components may be easily attached to oneanother, preferably prior to being placed in the water, and the modularfloat members are thereafter inflated. The apparatus utilizes theinternal air pressure within each modular float member for pressingadjacent float members end-to-end against each other so as to maintain aliquid-tight seal therebetween and to add rigidity to the overallstructure. Similarly, the internal air pressure within each modularfloat member is used to press the upper marginal edge portion of thedownwardly depending sheet tightly between the underside of each modularfloat member and the sheet support cable. It is therefore apparent thatthe float members, in conjunction with the sheet depending therefrom,form a continuously sealed floating system comprised of modularcomponents. The cable interiorly connecting opposite end wall means ofeach float member providesadditional strength to resist lengthwisedeformation when the apparatus is subject to large forces die to thewaves of a rough sea. As a result of the utilization of modularcomponents, individual components, such as float members or sheetpanels, may be repaired and/or replaced at will with a minimum of effortand cost. In addition, an apparatus constructed in accordance with theinvention has substantially reduced manufacturing the transportationcosts, and may be readily used maintenance-free over extended periods oftime. In this way a relatively easily manufacturable, maintenance freeenclosure may be formed form modular components. An enclosure so formedhas no openings through which pollutants can pass thereby providing animproved barrier for confining floating pollutants.

It will further be understood that while described herein in connectionwith inflatable float members, the present invention is not limited tosuch. For example, float members having movable annular end wallportions and filled at least at the end wall region thereof withelastically deformable, i.e. foam rubber material are intended to beincluded within the scope of the present invention.

Thus it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with thepresent invention, an apparatus for confining pollutants floating onrough sea water that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantagesset forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunctionwith specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intendedto embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fallwithin the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to protectby Letters Patent is:

1. A float apparatus for forming a barrier on the surface of a liquid,comprising:

a pair of float members, each having an end portion, said end portionseach having a first wall portion and a second wall portion surroundingsaid first wall portion;

coupling means associated with said first wall portions of said pair offloat members for operatively coupling the latter together at said firstwall portions thereof and for constraining said first wall portions ofthe coupled pair of float members against movement away from each otherfurther than a given distance;

at least one of said float members being inflatable,

said second wall portion of said one float member being adapted toexpand toward and into engagement with said second wall portion of theother of said pair of float members and to be maintained incircumferential engagement with the latter in response both to theinflation of said one float member and to the constraint to said givendistance effected by said coupling means, whereby there is formedbetween said first wall portions of said float members a substantiallyenclosed chamber for containing said coupling means.

2. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said second wall portion ofsaid one float member comprises a substantially annular flexible portionsurrounding said first wall portion thereof.

3. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein each of said float membersfurther comprises a second end portion spaced from said first mentionedend portion thereof, and an intermediate substantially cylindrical bodyportion connecting said spaced first and second end portions of therespective float members, said coupling means coupling said floatmembers substantially along the axes thereof.

4. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said second portion of saidone float member is flexible and is adapted to resiliently deform intosealing engagement with said second wall portion of said other of saidpair of float members.

5. The apparatus recited in claim 4, wherein said second wall portion ofsaid other float member comprises a substantially annular resilientportion surrounding the corresponding first portion thereof.

6. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said one float memberfurther comprises a second end portion spaced from said first mentionedend portion thereof, and having a first wall portion spaced from saidfirst wall portion of said first end portion thereof, and said one floatmember further including an intermediate substantially cylindrical bodyportion connecting said spaced end portions and defining therewith aninternal chamber.

7. The apparatus recited in claim 6, wherein said one float memberfurther comprises an elongated substantially inextensible tension meansextending substantially axially through the internal chamber thereof andoperatively connected at opposite ends thereof to said first wallportions of said first and said second end portions thereof,respectively, so as to restrain said first wall portions from movingfurther apart than a distance substantially equal to the length of saidtension means.

8. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said coupling meanscomprises readily engageable and disengageable means for readilyengaging and disengaging said pair of float members from each other.

9. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein each of said pair ofadjacently positioned float members further comprises a second endportion spaced from the respective first mentioned end portion thereofand an intermediate substantially cylindrical body portion connectingsaid spaced end portions of each float member, respectively and definingtherewith an internal chamber adapted to be filled with a pressurefluid, said second portions of the adjacent ones of said first mentionedend portions of said pair of float members being flexible and deformabletoward one another in response to admission of a pressure fluid into theinternal chambers respectively, of said pair of float members.

10. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said one float memberincludes a second end portion opposite said first mentioned end portionthereof and spaced therefrom and having a first wall portion spaced fromsaid first wall portion of said first end portion thereof, said onefloat member comprising a substantially cylindrical shell of flexibleair impervious material defining with said first and second end portionsthereof an'internal chamber adapted to be filled with air underpressure, said one float member further including cable means extendingalong the exterior of said one float member between said first wallportions of said opposite first and second end portions thereof andfastened at opposite ends thereof to said first wall portionsrespectively, the length of said cable means being such that when saidone float member is inflated, portions of the exterior surface of saidcylindrical shell are urged into engagement with and partially envelopsaid cable, along the length thereof, said apparatus further comprisinga sheet member having an upper marginal edge portion extending along andadjacent to said exterior surface portions of said float member and saidsheet member extending away from said shell in a substantially radialplane with respect to the axis of said shell, said marginal edge portionof said sheet member being located between said cable means and saidexterior surface portion of said shell whereby said cable means presssaid marginal edge portion of said sheet member into sealing engagementwith said exterior surface portion of said shell.

11. The apparatus recited in claim 10, wherein said one float memberfurther comprises a flexible substantially inextensible tension meansextending substantially axially through the internal chamber thereof andoperatively connected at opposite ends thereof to said first wallportions of said first and second end portions thereof, respectively, soas to restrain said first wall portions from moving further apart than adistance substantially equal to the length of said tension means.

12. The apparatus recited in claim 11, wherein said sheet member isflexible, said apparatus further comprising weight means adapted to besecured to the lower marginal edge portion of said sheet member so as tomaintain said sheet member in a substantially vertically downwardlydirection.

13. The apparatus recited in claim 12 wherein said second end portion ofsaid one float member comprises a flexible second wall portion, saidlatter second wall portion being resiliently deformable in response toinflation of said one float member.

. nunzn Al 01 14. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein each of saidpair of float members comprises a substantially cylindrical shell offlexible air impervious material defining an internal chamber adapted tobe filled with pressure fluid, each of said float members including asecond end portion opposite said first end portion thereof and spacedtherefrom, said second end portions each including a first wall portionopposite said first wall portion of said first end portion of thecorresponding float member, each of said float members further includingcable means extending along the exterior thereof between said oppositefirst wall portions thereof, the length of said cable means being suchthat when said float members are inflated said shells will have portionsof their exterior surfaces adjacent said cable means urged intoengagement with an partially enveloping said cable means, and saidapparatus further comprising a vertically downwardly extending sheetmember having its upper marginal edge portion fastened to said cablemeans and interposed between said cable means and said exterior surfaceportion of said shell, said cable means pressing said upper marginaledge portion of said sheet member into sealing engagement with saidexterior surface portion of said shell.

15. The apparatus recited in claim 14, wherein each of said floatmembers further comprises a flexible substantially inextensible tensionmeans extending substantially axially through the internal chamberthereof and operatively connected at opposite ends thereof to said firstwall portions of said first and second end portions thereofrespectively, so as to restrain said first wall portions from movingfurther apart than a distance substantially equal to said tension means.

' 16. The apparatus recited in claim 15, wherein said sheet member is aflexible material and further comprises weight means secured to thelower marginal edge portion of said sheet member so as to maintain saidsheet member extending in a substantially vertically downwardlydirection.

17. The apparatus recired in claim 16, wherein said second end portionsof each of said float members comprises a movable second wall portion,resiliently deformable in response to inflation of the respective floatmember.

18. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said one float memberfurther comprises a spaced second end portion including a first wallportion spaced from said first end portion thereof, an intermediatesubstantially cylindrical body portion of deformable material connectingsaid spaced end portions, and said cylindrical body portion expandingradially outwardly in response to inflation of said one float member,said one float member further comprising cable means extending along anexterior surface portion of said one float member between said firstwall portions of said spaced end portions thereof and fastened at itsopposite ends to said first wall portions,, respectively, the length ofsaid cable means being such that in response to the expansion of saidbody portion said exterior surface portion of said body portion is urgedinto engagement with and partially envelops said cable means, and saidapparatus further comprising a vertically downwardly extending sheetmember, said sheet member having its upper marginal edge portioninterposed between said cable means and said exterior surface portion ofsaid cylindrical body portion, said cable means pressing said uppermarginal edge portion of said sheet member into sealing engagement withsaid exterior surface portion of said body portion.

' 19. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said one float memberfurther comprises a spaced second end portion and an intermediatesubstantially cylindrical body portion of flexible material connectingsaid first and second end portions and defining therewith an internalchamber, cable means extending along the exterior surface portion ofsaid float member between said first and second end portions and havingopposite ends thereof fastened to said first and second end portionsrespectively, the length of said cable means being such that the lattersubstantially conforms to the exterior outline of said float member in asubstantially radial plane, said apparatus further comprising avertically downwardly extending flexible sheet member having uppermarginal edge portions fastened to and extending along said cable means.

20. The apparatus recited in'claim 19, wherein said one float memberfurther comprises a flexible substantially inextensible tension meansextending substantially axially through the internal chamber thereof andoperatively connected at opposite ends thereof to said first and secondend portions.

21. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein each of said float membersis inflatable, said float members each further comprising a second endportion spaced from the corresponding first end portion thereof andhaving a first wall portion spaced from said first wall portion of saidfirst end portion thereof, and each of said float members furtherincluding an intermediate substantially cylindrical body portionconnecting said spaced first and second end portions and definingtherewith an internal chamber.

22. The apparatus recited in claim 21, wherein each of said floatmembers further comprises an elongated substantially inextensibletension means extending substantially axially through the internalchamber thereof and operatively connected at opposite ends thereof tosaid first portions of said first and second end portions thereof,respectively, so as to restrain said first portions of each of saidfloat members from moving further apart than a distance substantiallyequal to the length of said tension means.

23. The apparatus recited in claim 22, wherein said coupling means areadapted to prevent relative axial movement between said pair of adjacentfloat members.

24. The apparatus recited in claim 23, wherein said coupling meansincludes means for permitting pivotal movement between said adjacentfloat members.

25. The apparatus recited in claim 23, wherein said coupling meansinclude means for substantially preventing pivotal movement between saidadjacent float members.

26. As an article of manufacture, an expansible and contractible floatmember for forming a barrier on the surface of a liquid, comprising:

a pair of opposed end wall means spaced from each other, said pair ofend wall means including opposing first portions respectively, and atleast one of said end wall means including a movable second rmnsn "H111portion spaced from said first portion thereof and movable away from theother of said end wall means in response to inflation of said member;

an intermediate shell portion connecting said spaced end wall means anddefining therewith an internal chamber adapted to be filled withpressure fluid;

a flexible substantially inextensible tension means extendingsubstantially axially through the internal chamber of said float memberand operatively connected at opposite ends thereof to said firstportions of said pair of end walls means respectively, so as to restrainsaid first portions from moving, in response to inflation of said floatmembers, further apart than a distance substantially equal to the lengthof said tension means;

coupling means provided on each of said pair of end wall means, saidcoupling means being adapted to readily engage and disengage said floatmember with other float members placed in adjacency therewith; and

cable means extending along the exterior of said movable second portionand said cylindrical body portion between said first portions of saidspaced end wall means, and fastened at opposite ends thereof to saidfirst portions respectively, the length of said cable means being suchthat said cable means will conform to and be in engagement with saidbody portion in response to inflation of said float member; and

a sheet member having an upper marginal edge portion thereof fastened tosaid cable means.

27. The float member recited in claim 23, wherein said other end wallmeans comprises a movable second portion spaced from said first portionand movable in directions toward and away from said one end wall means,said movable second portion of said other end wall means being adaptedto be urged in a direction away from said one end wall means in responseto inflation of said member.

28. The float member recited in claim 27, wherein said second portionsof said pair of end wall means are resiliently deformable in directionaway from each other in response to inflation of said float member.

29. As an article of manufacture, a float member for forming a barrieron the surface of a liquid comprising;

a pair of opposed end wall means spaced from each other includingopposing axially spaced substantially rigid first portions;

a substantially cylindrical shell of flexible air impervious materialextending between and connecting said end wall means and definingtherewith an internal chamber adapted to be filled with a pressurefluid;

a flexible substantially inextensible tension means extendingsubstantially axially through the internal chamber and fixedly connectedat opposite ends thereof to said first portions of said pair of end wallmeans respectively, so as to restrain said first portions from movingfurther apart than a distance substantially equal to the extended lengthof said tension means;

coupling meansoperatively associated with each of said pair of end wallmeans, respectively, and adapted to couple and uncouple said floatmember to float members which may be placed in adjacency therewith;

cable means extending alon g the exterior surface of said shell betweensaid coupling means and fastened to the latter, the length of said cablemeans beingsuch that when said float member is inflated, at least asubstantial portion of said exterior surface portion thereof will beurged into engagement with and will partially envelop said cable means;and

downwardly extending sheet means having an upper marginal edge portionthereof interposed between said cable means and said exterior surfaceportions of said shell, said cable means pressing said upper marginaledge portion of said sheet means into sealing engagement with saidexterior surface portions, said sheet means being of a flexible liquidimpervious material.

30. The float member recited in claim 29, wherein said pair of end wallmeans comprise opposing flexible annular second portions spaced fromsaid first portions and deformable away from each other in response tothe pressure fluid filling the internal chamber, said opposing annularsecond portions surrounding the .corresponding first portionsrespectively.

31. The float member recited in claim 30, further comprising a cablemeans extending along the exterior surface portion thereof between saidopposed first portions and fastened to the latter, the length of saidcable means being such that when said float member is inflated, saidexterior surface portion thereof will be urged into engagement with andwill partially envelope said cable means.

32. The float member recited in claim 31, further comprising avertically downwardly extending sheet member having an upper marginaledge portion thereof interposed between said cable means and saidexterior surface portions of said float member, said cable meanspressing said upper marginal edge portion of said sheet member intosealing engagement with said exterior surface portions, said sheetmember being of a flexible liquid impervious material.

33. A float member comprising:

fluid-tight inflatable and contractible container means having a pair ofopposed end walls and an intermediate shell portion connecting said endwalls and defining therewith an internal chamber adapted to be filledwith pressure fluid;

a pair of coupling means connected to the respective mid-portions ofsaid end walls; each of said end walls having a deformable second wallportion surrounding the corresponding midportion thereof and deformableoutwardly toward an adjacent float member in response to inflation ofsaid container with pressure fluid;

first elongated substantially inextensible means extending through saidinternal chamber and operatively connected at opposite ends thereof tothe respective ones of said mid-portions so as to restrain the latterfrom moving further apart than a distance substantially equal to thelength of said first elongated substantially inextensible means, saidsecond wall portions, in expanded condition, extending outwardly beyondsaid mid-portions to form each of said end walls into convex-concaveshape;

second elongated substantially inextensible flexible means extendingalong the exterior of said inter- IOIBSO OlKS mediate shell portion andconnected at opposite latter is in inflated condition, whereby saidsecond ends thereof to said pair of coupling means respecelongatedflexible means engages and is partly entively, said second elongatedmeans being at least veloped by the outer surface of said shell portionno longer in length than the shortest distance P of p f means when Saidbetween said coupling means, measured along the comamer InflatedCondmonouter surface of said container means when the (200 mm n m aUNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIONPATENT N0. 3,685,297 DATED August 22, 1972 lN\/ ENTOR( WALTER JUODIS ETAL.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 7, for "form" read --from-; line 57, for "substantial"read --substantially-. Column 6, line 23,

for "180" read --l8e-. Column 8, line 1, for "the" read --and being--.Column 9, line 63, after "may" read --be--. Column 13, line 16, for "an"read --and--; line 2, for "recired" read -recited--. Column 15, line 33,for "23" read -26--. Column 16, lines 25- 41, cancel claims 31 and 32. A

Signed and Scaled this Tenth Day of May 1977 [SEAL] A rtest:

RUTH MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner ofParenrs andTrademarks

1. A float apparatus for forming a barrier on the surface of a liquid,comprising: a pair of float members, each having an end portion, saidend portions each having a first wall portion and a second wall portionsurrounding said first wall portion; coupling means associated with saidfirst wall portions of said pair of float members for operativelycoupling the latter together at said first wall portions thereof and forconstraining said first wall portions of the coupled pair of floatmembers against movement away from each other further than a givendistance; at least one of said float members being inflatable, saidsecond wall portion of said one float member being adapted to expandtoward and into engagement with said second wall portion of the other ofsaid pair of float members and to be maintained in circumferentialengagement with the latter in responSe both to the inflation of said onefloat member and to the constraint to said given distance effected bysaid coupling means, whereby there is formed between said first wallportions of said float members a substantially enclosed chamber forcontaining said coupling means.
 2. The apparatus recited in claim 1,wherein said second wall portion of said one float member comprises asubstantially annular flexible portion surrounding said first wallportion thereof.
 3. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein each ofsaid float members further comprises a second end portion spaced fromsaid first mentioned end portion thereof, and an intermediatesubstantially cylindrical body portion connecting said spaced first andsecond end portions of the respective float members, said coupling meanscoupling said float members substantially along the axes thereof.
 4. Theapparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said second portion of said onefloat member is flexible and is adapted to resiliently deform intosealing engagement with said second wall portion of said other of saidpair of float members.
 5. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein saidsecond wall portion of said other float member comprises a substantiallyannular resilient portion surrounding the corresponding first portionthereof.
 6. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said one floatmember further comprises a second end portion spaced from said firstmentioned end portion thereof, and having a first wall portion spacedfrom said first wall portion of said first end portion thereof, and saidone float member further including an intermediate substantiallycylindrical body portion connecting said spaced end portions anddefining therewith an internal chamber.
 7. The apparatus recited inclaim 6, wherein said one float member further comprises an elongatedsubstantially inextensible tension means extending substantially axiallythrough the internal chamber thereof and operatively connected atopposite ends thereof to said first wall portions of said first and saidsecond end portions thereof, respectively, so as to restrain said firstwall portions from moving further apart than a distance substantiallyequal to the length of said tension means.
 8. The apparatus recited inclaim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises readily engageable anddisengageable means for readily engaging and disengaging said pair offloat members from each other.
 9. The apparatus recited in claim 1,wherein each of said pair of adjacently positioned float members furthercomprises a second end portion spaced from the respective firstmentioned end portion thereof and an intermediate substantiallycylindrical body portion connecting said spaced end portions of eachfloat member, respectively and defining therewith an internal chamberadapted to be filled with a pressure fluid, said second portions of theadjacent ones of said first mentioned end portions of said pair of floatmembers being flexible and deformable toward one another in response toadmission of a pressure fluid into the internal chambers respectively,of said pair of float members.
 10. The apparatus recited in claim 1,wherein said one float member includes a second end portion oppositesaid first mentioned end portion thereof and spaced therefrom and havinga first wall portion spaced from said first wall portion of said firstend portion thereof, said one float member comprising a substantiallycylindrical shell of flexible air impervious material defining with saidfirst and second end portions thereof an internal chamber adapted to befilled with air under pressure, said one float member further includingcable means extending along the exterior of said one float memberbetween said first wall portions of said opposite first and second endportions thereof and fastened at opposite ends thereof to said firstwall portions respectively, the length of said cable means being suchthat when said one float member is inflated, portions of the exterIorsurface of said cylindrical shell are urged into engagement with andpartially envelop said cable, along the length thereof, said apparatusfurther comprising a sheet member having an upper marginal edge portionextending along and adjacent to said exterior surface portions of saidfloat member and said sheet member extending away from said shell in asubstantially radial plane with respect to the axis of said shell, saidmarginal edge portion of said sheet member being located between saidcable means and said exterior surface portion of said shell whereby saidcable means press said marginal edge portion of said sheet member intosealing engagement with said exterior surface portion of said shell. 11.The apparatus recited in claim 10, wherein said one float member furthercomprises a flexible substantially inextensible tension means extendingsubstantially axially through the internal chamber thereof andoperatively connected at opposite ends thereof to said first wallportions of said first and second end portions thereof, respectively, soas to restrain said first wall portions from moving further apart than adistance substantially equal to the length of said tension means. 12.The apparatus recited in claim 11, wherein said sheet member isflexible, said apparatus further comprising weight means adapted to besecured to the lower marginal edge portion of said sheet member so as tomaintain said sheet member in a substantially vertically downwardlydirection.
 13. The apparatus recited in claim 12 wherein said second endportion of said one float member comprises a flexible second wallportion, said latter second wall portion being resiliently deformable inresponse to inflation of said one float member.
 14. The apparatusrecited in claim 1, wherein each of said pair of float members comprisesa substantially cylindrical shell of flexible air impervious materialdefining an internal chamber adapted to be filled with pressure fluid,each of said float members including a second end portion opposite saidfirst end portion thereof and spaced therefrom, said second end portionseach including a first wall portion opposite said first wall portion ofsaid first end portion of the corresponding float member, each of saidfloat members further including cable means extending along the exteriorthereof between said opposite first wall portions thereof, the length ofsaid cable means being such that when said float members are inflatedsaid shells will have portions of their exterior surfaces adjacent saidcable means urged into engagement with an partially enveloping saidcable means, and said apparatus further comprising a verticallydownwardly extending sheet member having its upper marginal edge portionfastened to said cable means and interposed between said cable means andsaid exterior surface portion of said shell, said cable means pressingsaid upper marginal edge portion of said sheet member into sealingengagement with said exterior surface portion of said shell.
 15. Theapparatus recited in claim 14, wherein each of said float membersfurther comprises a flexible substantially inextensible tension meansextending substantially axially through the internal chamber thereof andoperatively connected at opposite ends thereof to said first wallportions of said first and second end portions thereof respectively, soas to restrain said first wall portions from moving further apart than adistance substantially equal to said tension means.
 16. The apparatusrecited in claim 15, wherein said sheet member is a flexible materialand further comprises weight means secured to the lower marginal edgeportion of said sheet member so as to maintain said sheet memberextending in a substantially vertically downwardly direction.
 17. Theapparatus recired in claim 16, wherein said second end portions of eachof said float members comprises a movable second wall portion,resiliently deformable in response to inflation of the respective floatmember.
 18. The apparatuS recited in claim 1, wherein said one floatmember further comprises a spaced second end portion including a firstwall portion spaced from said first end portion thereof, an intermediatesubstantially cylindrical body portion of deformable material connectingsaid spaced end portions, and said cylindrical body portion expandingradially outwardly in response to inflation of said one float member,said one float member further comprising cable means extending along anexterior surface portion of said one float member between said firstwall portions of said spaced end portions thereof and fastened at itsopposite ends to said first wall portions, respectively, the length ofsaid cable means being such that in response to the expansion of saidbody portion said exterior surface portion of said body portion is urgedinto engagement with and partially envelops said cable means, and saidapparatus further comprising a vertically downwardly extending sheetmember, said sheet member having its upper marginal edge portioninterposed between said cable means and said exterior surface portion ofsaid cylindrical body portion, said cable means pressing said uppermarginal edge portion of said sheet member into sealing engagement withsaid exterior surface portion of said body portion.
 19. The apparatusrecited in claim 1, wherein said one float member further comprises aspaced second end portion and an intermediate substantially cylindricalbody portion of flexible material connecting said first and second endportions and defining therewith an internal chamber, cable meansextending along the exterior surface portion of said float memberbetween said first and second end portions and having opposite endsthereof fastened to said first and second end portions respectively, thelength of said cable means being such that the latter substantiallyconforms to the exterior outline of said float member in a substantiallyradial plane, said apparatus further comprising a vertically downwardlyextending flexible sheet member having upper marginal edge portionsfastened to and extending along said cable means.
 20. The apparatusrecited in claim 19, wherein said one float member further comprises aflexible substantially inextensible tension means extendingsubstantially axially through the internal chamber thereof andoperatively connected at opposite ends thereof to said first and secondend portions.
 21. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein each of saidfloat members is inflatable, said float members each further comprisinga second end portion spaced from the corresponding first end portionthereof and having a first wall portion spaced from said first wallportion of said first end portion thereof, and each of said floatmembers further including an intermediate substantially cylindrical bodyportion connecting said spaced first and second end portions anddefining therewith an internal chamber.
 22. The apparatus recited inclaim 21, wherein each of said float members further comprises anelongated substantially inextensible tension means extendingsubstantially axially through the internal chamber thereof andoperatively connected at opposite ends thereof to said first portions ofsaid first and second end portions thereof, respectively, so as torestrain said first portions of each of said float members from movingfurther apart than a distance substantially equal to the length of saidtension means.
 23. The apparatus recited in claim 22, wherein saidcoupling means are adapted to prevent relative axial movement betweensaid pair of adjacent float members.
 24. The apparatus recited in claim23, wherein said coupling means includes means for permitting pivotalmovement between said adjacent float members.
 25. The apparatus recitedin claim 23, wherein said coupling means include means for substantiallypreventing pivotal movement between said adjacent float members.
 26. Asan article of manufacture, an expansible and contractible float memberfor forming a bArrier on the surface of a liquid, comprising: a pair ofopposed end wall means spaced from each other, said pair of end wallmeans including opposing first portions respectively, and at least oneof said end wall means including a movable second portion spaced fromsaid first portion thereof and movable away from the other of said endwall means in response to inflation of said member; an intermediateshell portion connecting said spaced end wall means and definingtherewith an internal chamber adapted to be filled with pressure fluid;a flexible substantially inextensible tension means extendingsubstantially axially through the internal chamber of said float memberand operatively connected at opposite ends thereof to said firstportions of said pair of end walls means respectively, so as to restrainsaid first portions from moving, in response to inflation of said floatmembers, further apart than a distance substantially equal to the lengthof said tension means; coupling means provided on each of said pair ofend wall means, said coupling means being adapted to readily engage anddisengage said float member with other float members placed in adjacencytherewith; and cable means extending along the exterior of said movablesecond portion and said cylindrical body portion between said firstportions of said spaced end wall means, and fastened at opposite endsthereof to said first portions respectively, the length of said cablemeans being such that said cable means will conform to and be inengagement with said body portion in response to inflation of said floatmember; and a sheet member having an upper marginal edge portion thereoffastened to said cable means.
 27. The float member recited in claim 26,wherein said other end wall means comprises a movable second portionspaced from said first portion and movable in directions toward and awayfrom said one end wall means, said movable second portion of said otherend wall means being adapted to be urged in a direction away from saidone end wall means in response to inflation of said member.
 28. Thefloat member recited in claim 27, wherein said second portions of saidpair of end wall means are resiliently deformable in direction away fromeach other in response to inflation of said float member.
 29. As anarticle of manufacture, a float member for forming a barrier on thesurface of a liquid comprising; a pair of opposed end wall means spacedfrom each other including opposing axially spaced substantially rigidfirst portions; a substantially cylindrical shell of flexible airimpervious material extending between and connecting said end wall meansand defining therewith an internal chamber adapted to be filled with apressure fluid; a flexible substantially inextensible tension meansextending substantially axially through the internal chamber and fixedlyconnected at opposite ends thereof to said first portions of said pairof end wall means respectively, so as to restrain said first portionsfrom moving further apart than a distance substantially equal to theextended length of said tension means; coupling means operativelyassociated with each of said pair of end wall means, respectively, andadapted to couple and uncouple said float member to float members whichmay be placed in adjacency therewith; cable means extending along theexterior surface of said shell between said coupling means and fastenedto the latter, the length of said cable means being such that when saidfloat member is inflated, at least a substantial portion of saidexterior surface portion thereof will be urged into engagement with andwill partially envelop said cable means; and downwardly extending sheetmeans having an upper marginal edge portion thereof interposed betweensaid cable means and said exterior surface portions of said shell, saidcable means pressing said upper marginal edge portion of said sheetmeans into sealing engagement with said exterior surface portiOns, saidsheet means being of a flexible liquid impervious material.
 30. Thefloat member recited in claim 29, wherein said pair of end wall meanscomprise opposing flexible annular second portions spaced from saidfirst portions and deformable away from each other in response to thepressure fluid filling the internal chamber, said opposing annularsecond portions surrounding the corresponding first portionsrespectively.
 31. The float member recited in claim 30, furthercomprising a cable means extending along the exterior surface portionthereof between said opposed first portions and fastened to the latter,the length of said cable means being such that when said float member isinflated, said exterior surface portion thereof will be urged intoengagement with and will partially envelope said cable means.
 32. Thefloat member recited in claim 31, further comprising a verticallydownwardly extending sheet member having an upper marginal edge portionthereof interposed between said cable means and said exterior surfaceportions of said float member, said cable means pressing said uppermarginal edge portion of said sheet member into sealing engagement withsaid exterior surface portions, said sheet member being of a flexibleliquid impervious material.
 33. A float member comprising: fluid-tightinflatable and contractible container means having a pair of opposed endwalls and an intermediate shell portion connecting said end walls anddefining therewith an internal chamber adapted to be filled withpressure fluid; a pair of coupling means connected to the respectivemid-portions of said end walls; each of said end walls having adeformable second wall portion surrounding the corresponding mid-portionthereof and deformable outwardly toward an adjacent float member inresponse to inflation of said container with pressure fluid; firstelongated substantially inextensible means extending through saidinternal chamber and operatively connected at opposite ends thereof tothe respective ones of said mid-portions so as to restrain the latterfrom moving further apart than a distance substantially equal to thelength of said first elongated substantially inextensible means, saidsecond wall portions, in expanded condition, extending outwardly beyondsaid mid-portions to form each of said end walls into convex-concaveshape; second elongated substantially inextensible flexible meansextending along the exterior of said intermediate shell portion andconnected at opposite ends thereof to said pair of coupling meansrespectively, said second elongated means being at least no longer inlength than the shortest distance between said coupling means, measuredalong the outer surface of said container means when the latter is ininflated condition, whereby said second elongated flexible means engagesand is partly enveloped by the outer surface of said shell portionbetween said pair of coupling means when said container is in inflatedcondition.